Experienced Shamrocks motivated in 2013

The Portland St. Patrick softball team will have plenty of experience coming back in 2013 as they look to content for a league championship.

Shamrock coach Chris Battley will have eight players returning from his 2012 roster, including seniors Elle Lehman, Anna Bosworth, Jennifer Bosworth, Marin Pline and Katie Cook; and junior Danielle Simon and sophomore Riley Smith. Sophomore pitcher Brittni Wilcox will be back in the circle again for the Shamrocks after a solid freshman season.

"Our experience is going to be the key for us this season," Battley said. "I haven't had this much back in one team in about nine or 10 years. I have had teams with three or four good, experienced players back, but I have never had this large of a group.

"Elle is a four-year starter at the varsity level and Danielle is a three-year starter in the infield for us. Riley Smith was solid as a freshman at catcher and Brittni has been working with a pitching coach over the offseason and has improved her speed and now can throw three pitches."

Battley also said that newcomers Amy Wieber, Amber Wieber and Sydney Bartlett will also contribute to the Shamrocks this season.The Shamrocks finished second in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference standings and finished with an overall record of 20-14. As the host team in their district last season, the Shamrocks had hopes bringing home a trophy. However, a loss to league rival Fowler in the semifinals ended their postseason prematurely.

"That loss has really fueled the girls fire," Battley said. "We out hit Fowler and still lost 3-1. We will have to be disciplined at the plate this season.

"The girls have shown a lot of intensity over the last couple of weeks and are ready to get outside."

The CMAC should be competitive this season, especially with Dansville returning many of their players from last season's Division 4 state championship team. Battley said he expects the league to be as competitive as it has been in a while with Bath, Fowler, Laingsburg, Pewamo-Westphalia expected to be strong again. He also said he thinks Saranac will be a much improved team from 2012 as well.

St. Pats will also be battle tested at the end of the season thanks to their non-conference schedule. The Shamrocks will compete in the three invitational tournaments (Comstock Park, Fowler and Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart), along with doubleheaders against Olivet, Carson City-Crystal and Flint Powers.

Battley said his players are also looking to qualify for the Diamond Classic in May.

The Shamrocks will open the season on April 8 when they travel to Ashley.